Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek Unboxed [First Look!]

The review covers the KSO Trek's design (sole attributes and thickness), aesthetic, performance, fit, and more. You can read it by going here.

Updated 9/10/09: See added photos below!

The fivefingers fairy surprised me today with a sneak peak at the brand new Vibram Five Fingers KSO Trek barefoot trail shoes! Here is my unboxing and first look:

Apologies for any video clunkiness (as in, the little section where you can't see my KSO Trek-clad feet and the abrupt ending). 16:9 HD video plus wanting to get this to you guys as soon as possible meant taking the video as it was!

First impressions

The kangaroo leather is smooth and buttery and looks so fancy I hardly want to get them dirty (though I must!). The leather is quite thin but feels strong. As for breathable-ness, after having worn them for a short walk here in Atlanta (Around 80 degrees Fahrenheit), my feet feel cool and dry. My toes feel very nice and cool, in particular. The sole of my foot against the smooth leather inner is particularly nice.

For a slew of information about the leather used in the KSO Trek, check this info-page from PackerLeather on their K-100 high performance leather. In brief, and there's a tag that came with the KSO Treks that talk about this, the K-100 kangaroo leather is billed as providing extreme strength, perspiration resistance, high water vapour permeability, high color fastness, and has an "microblok" anti-microbial treatment. Regarding water resistance, tag notes that the K-100 "leather dries faster" and has only 28% water uptake after 60 minutes (as compared to 235% water uptake for "non water resistant leather").

Aside from the use of leather, the Trek also employs the standard, thin synthetic material to line the sides (not the top) of the Trek, which I imagine reinforces the leather somewhat at the ankle. Additionally, as some had asked, the sides of each toe slot are the synthetic material.

The aggressively lugged KSO Trek sole maintains flexibility while still looking sufficiently "beefy." One open concern among VFFers regarding the Trek revolved around the added thickness and aggressiveness of the Trek's tread—would it impeded the minimalist design of VFFs? The proof will be in the pudding—that is, extensive field-testing by you guys—based on an initial inspection, the Trek is very flexible, similar to what you already expect across the fivefingers line. Toes can still easily bend, particularly upwards, which is pivotal for functionality. This is even as the toes employ a thick-ridged design.

As for the addition of EVA, on light use if I didn't know it was there, I would assume it wasn't. In other words, I don't notice the EVA. I still feel the variations in the ground outside. Interestingly, what I don't feel through the sole is the variations of the Trek tread, itself. I've no idea how they pulled off this feat of VFF design, but it works.

Overall, my initial impression is that the ">KSO Trek will make a strong addition to the Vibram fivefingers line-up as a rugged barefoot alternative for trail running or hiking! And I can't wait to take them out for a spin in a nearby natural park! Even still, dressed in silky smooth kangaroo leather, they are the fanciest looking VFFs yet, so no doubt plenty of people will want to use them for dressier occasions.

As for availability, I can only surmise that receiving this today means that these are going to be out and available very soon — maybe within a week? Stay tuned!

Update: the KSO Trek is available now! You can find a KSO Trek retailer online here.

About the Author — I founded BirthdayShoes.com in April 2009 on realizing just how much I enjoyed having "free feet" - I mostly wanted to use them for weights, sprints, and plyometrics (I'm not much of a runner!). I'm a Googler by day and minimalist footwear aficionado by night; you can find me 'round Atlanta. If you want to catch up with what I'm doing outside of the site here, follow me on twitter @bdayshoes or @justinno or check out my personal site JustinOwings.com.Justin+ has written 896 articles and 426 comments.

How are the Treks running on stoney paths? Do they give better protection against stone bruises? I love my Sprints, but after 5 miles or so on my local gravel path my feet start getting a little beat up on the larger rocks.

Very cool, thanks Justin. Still not sure whether I will be buying either of these newest VFFs - as a college student, I find that $$ for this sort of purchase is limited! On top of that, I sort of want to save up for the Bikila......

So there have always been complaints about odor control and cleaning of VFF's...wouldn't the leather make it even more bothersome odor wise? And do they pack in the box instructions on cleaning methods?

I've always had *better* luck with odor control and leather than with synthetic materials. I'm not sure if this is because leather is tanned or is innately anti-microbial or what.

In any event, the leather used in the Treks is treated with some kind of anti-microbial process. Of course, sweat and dank feet tend to conquer technology over time ...

@Ryan,

I think they would do better than existing VFFs in winter, which is to say, if you wear socks, they will probably do better due to the thicker sole and bit of EVA used in the Treks -- I'm guessing both will provide insulation from the cold earth beneath your feet.

I just bought my regular KSOs 5 months ago and I love love love them! But now they've found a way to make me spend more money!

Seriously, kangaroo leather is the bomb. My motorcycle gloves (Held) are made from 'roo leather and it is soft, supple, strong, and lasts a good long time. Can't wait to have a pair of fivefingers made from the stuff.

Got 'em a week ago and love them. These are my 1st pair of Five Fingers and I couldn't say enough good things about them. These things are SO comfortable I don't care to take them off at the office where I used to go barefoot during the day.

I've warn them for daily use and trail running and am constantly amazed with the Treks.

Thanks to the Benchmark in Cincinnati for hooking me up with these! I'm still trying to figure out exactly how they had them, but regardless of how I feel lucky.

Hey Justin. I had the pleasure of trying these on at FrontRunners, a popular shoe store, in Brentwood, CA. Yes, I liked them. If I had an extra $100+ to throw around I would have bought them for novelty alone. They appear very well-made and durable. However, as a barefooter, and shoe minimalist, I found them everything but. As compared to the Classics, my feet felt smothered and suffocated. They just seemed to be headed in the other direction of "minimalism", in my opinion. That being said, if I were one to hit jagged and rugged terrain, I would much rather have these than a "traditional" hiking shoe. Long live Five Fingers! Now bring on Bikila!
Peace, out.
Barefoot Sal
North Hollywood, CA, USA

« 2015 shoe reviews »

« 2014 shoe reviews »

« 2013 shoe reviews »

where to buy

Older reviews

Note: This site is not owned, operated, or otherwise affiliated with Vibram or Vibram FiveFingers. The site is intended for entertainment purposes only. Per FTC regulation, it should be assumed that products reviewed on BirthdayShoes were provided to the blogger(s) for free or at discounted cost. Though this is certainly not always the case, we'd rather be in compliance with FTC rules & regulations governing bloggers and product reviews under the assumed "most biased" letter of the law. That said, if it's not immediately obvious, this site is a fan site for minimalist footwear such as Vibram Five Fingers, which is to say that there is a stated bias in favor of these products. Despite our stated bias, between the hundreds of user-submitted stories, the thousands of forum posts (both positive and negative, warts and all!), and the in-depth resources and guides, we do our best to provide in depth information on all products reviewed. In the end, though we strive to be a helpful resource and believe in integrity and honesty, we expect you to do your part — reading the research and making educated decisions (Read: take responsibility for your actions!). We have also passed on reviewing products (not VFFs per se) that were provided to us for free but did not "cut the mustard." If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact us!